Andaman News Thursday 17 Jan

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The local government in Phuket is urged to spend a support fund efficiently for public service.

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During a meeting to follow up work and projects of government agencies and local government bodies in Phuket, the Inspector general attached to the PM’s Office, Mr Changthong Opassiriwit placed importance in three major issues. They are problems of education provision, transfer of responsibility to be under local government, natural resources and environment management and public services. On the education transfer issue, he urged the local government to efficiently spend funds supported by central government appropriately and ensure that it highly benefits the general public as a whole. The Inspector General also emphasized on preventive measures of business’ impacts like pollution or emissions as the island benefits from natural resources.

MiniVDO: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization joins hands with an independent institute to carry out organization work assessment.

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Residents in Phuket participated in the assessment of the work of the Provincial Administration Organization focusing on 4 aspects. They are quality, quantity, procedure and public satisfaction. They also discussed and evaluated the operation of projects implementation. It is reported that the PPAO carries out 210 projects with projects involving economy and tourism which gained highest score in operation result and IT lowest. It is also reported people are most satisfied with the implementation on the organization’s education development.

MiniVDO: Phuket police arranged for their provincial chief to meet and listen to local community leaders’ views and suggestions for better cooperation links.

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Phuket Provincial Police, chaired by Pol. Major General Decha Butnampetch, on Tuesday held a meeting with community leaders to discuss and listen to their opinions, concerns and suggestions to improve the police services to the public. The issues discussed cover the aspect of crime, traffic, narcotic-drugs and social order so that appropriate measures are taken. Chief Officers from all police stations on the island also attended the meeting. The police chief expects the meeting to enhance police’s work as well as establishing networks in information and crime reports.

MiniVDO: OTOP OCEAN will be held during January 22 – 28th at Saphan Hin in Phuket town

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As many as 162 sales booths showcasing 3-5 stars products from across the country will be put up for shoppers and business operators during January 22-28, 2008 at the Saphan Hin Tip in Phuket town. The week long event, co-hosted by the provincial Community Development and the Phuket OTOP Network aims at providing wider marketing channels for local products from across Thailand which in turn, expected to lead to more income for local people. The booth will comprise food and beverage as well as decorative items, clothing and furniture. The Phuket Provincial Community Development chief Naeb Sinthong expects the sales target to exceed 10 million baht. The office targets the OTOP – One Tambon One Product - sales this year to increase 15% from last year sales of 1,000 million baht. It also plans a road show or marketing trip to the North and North Eastern provinces as the previous trips proved that processed seafood was very well accepted.

MiniVDO: The Rotary Clubs donated nearly 1 million baht Baht to the Life Home Project for AIDs victims.

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They informed Andaman News about a donation ceremony held on Tuesday evening. The donation of 968,553 baht is funded by The Rotary Club of Patong Beach, Thailand, The Rotary Club of Vasteras, Sweden, and The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The donation is for the purchase of a van to bring the children of The Life Home Project Foundation back and forth to school and help with general transportation. To date the Rotary Club of Patong has funded approximately 20% of the Life Home Projects new facilities at Koh Sirey, which is a shelter for mothers who are HIV positive and their children where they can live safely in a supportive community. Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

MiniVDO: The 2008 Phuket International Blues Rock Festival will be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, February 22-23

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The organizers informed Andaman News that the 2008 event, presented by HotelTravel.com, will be huge - expanded to 12 bands total - showcasing 10 of South East Asia’s finest acts and topping it off with an American headliner each night. Confirmed are Bangkok’s Soi Dog Blues Band, Georgia Blues Band, Full House and Cannonball as well as The Blues Machine from Pattaya and Boy Blues Band from Chiang Mai. From Koh Samui comes Li’l Willie & The Fabulous Hepcats and one of Australia’s top blues acts, Salty Dog. The local Phuket contribution is provided by The Groove Doctors assisted by Hollywood writer/blues shouter Jimmy Fame and American born diva Bonnie Anderson. The internationally renowned Rich Harper Band from Los Angeles headlines Friday night. Saturday night will see another top U.S. blues act: The Shari Puorto Experience from Southern California. First held in December 2005 and February 2007, The Phuket International Blues Festival is a charity event, with profits being donated to worthy organizations dedicated to Phuket’s children’s education. For all other details please go to www.phuketbluesfestival.com

MiniVDO: The dead diver who attempted to rob a yacht was identified as a German.

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Phuket police have now been able to identify a dead robber who attempted to rob a 50 year old yacht skipper, Pierre Alain Oberson, but got himself killed. The incident occurred on Wednesday 9th January when a yacht was moored at Kata Bay on the south side of Phuket Island. The yacht owner was badly wounded and was hospitalized while the robber was killed by a hook. Chalong Police Superintendent Pol.Col. Samarn Chainarong told Andaman News that the man was identified as German national Peter Michael Schmid, aged 45 years old. Police said he completed a diving course from a diving school in Phuket where he had been living for the past two years. Police are coordinating with the German Embassy for the repatriation of the body while the victim can respond to police questions.

MiniVDO: The Windsurfing Rally in Phuket started the first race from Nai Harn Beach.

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30 windsurfers from 21 nations yesterday gathered at a beach in front of the Indigo Pearl hotel on Nai Yang Beach. The start run and sail off the beach was officially started by Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima amidst some gentle wind. All windsurfers wore yellow in honour of HM the King. Yesterday’s race was between Naiyang and Surin beaches and drew vast interest from tourists. The Windsurf Rally will go on until Saturday January 19th beside major beaches off Phuket with the Surin to Patong race due to take place at 1230 this afternoon.

MiniVDO: Entries are strong for next month’s Phang Nga Bay Regatta.

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The organizers informed Andaman News that the 11th Phang Nga Bay Regatta sees strong entries and sponsorship as the hotel and property development company, Puravarna, continues their title sponsorship of the regatta for the second year. The Regatta will be raced between 6-10 February 2008 as it is traditionally held over the Chinese New Year. The regatta has cemented its place on the regional regatta circuit and has become known for it's great sailing grounds and fun social programme. Registration and the opening party will take place on 6th February at Chandara Resort & Spa on Phuket's east coast. The regatta will sail from Phuket into Phang Nga Bay, then to Krabi and Phi Phi before finishing at The Royal Phuket Yacht Club, a Purvarana Resort, on Nai Harn Beach in Phuket on 10th February, where the closing party will be held. There are four race days on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th of February with a party and prize-giving each evening held at different venues along route. With entries for 2008 already strong at 28, and many more expected, the organisers are bracing themselves for another large fleet. To find out more go to www.bayregatta.com

Special Report - Chao Thai Mai School for Sea Gypsy students at Ban Lampi, in Phang Nga

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The Chao Thai Mai School for Sea Gypsy students at Ban Lampi, near Thai Muang in Phang Nga province, welcomed the arrival of several foreign donors notably senior management of Zwilling J.A. Henckels Company from Germany, and Minor International Company in Thailand, & JW Marriott hotels in Thailand, among others, for the formal opening of a new impressive so called Zwilling building at the school, as it was mainly funded by the German high quality consumer goods company. Together with several other sponsors, they came together to celebrate their cooperation since the tsunami of December 2004, to fund much needed equipment, supplies, food, assistance and the building itself, for the small school built in 1970 and the local community which had suffered from many years of neglect and underfunding even before the tsunami, but the disaster required even more help for the minority sea gypsy community who had to move from their traditional coastal homes to further inland, near the safety of the school, which now has 197 students.

“Sawadee Ka…" Many of the innocent children had previously had no formal education, especially in Thai language, due to their parents lack of citizenship or rights, but especially since the tsunami they have been better integrated into Thai society, hence the name of the school Chao Thai Mai or New Thai people. They certainly enjoyed the Thai and western food and drinks brought up to the school by JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. After the Phang Nga Governor Wichai Praisangob arrived, the formal ceremony began, witnessed by many friends and supporters of the school, who had driven up from Phuket to see this special day. The Director of the school, and the the Phang Nga Governor began the speeches of thanks in Thai language translated to English for their guests.

Dr. Raphael L Hoest, the Counsellor of the German Embassy in Bangkok, came down to compliment the German companies assistance: “This project demonstrated .. most humane decision.” Claus Holst-Gydesen, the CEO for the Board of Directors of Zwilling J. A. Henckels AG Company, who came over from Germany especially for this occasion, explained why his company wants to continue sustainably helping this school grow for future years: “Zwilling Henckels decided to help… for another 3 years.” William or Bill E. Heinecke, who flew down in his private jet from Bangkok with his 89 year old mother Connie and wife Kathy, is well known as the charismatic Chairman of Minor International PCL, and he emphasized their cooperation needed to assist the school: ‘The most important one is …. to mention everyone.”

Then the Phang Nga director of Education gave thank you souvenir gifts to the donors, while the donors gave popular sports and games supplies for the appreciative students. Then the time came to cut the ribbon to officially open the new Zwilling Building with all the dignitaries present. The happy students posed for final photos and expressed their heartfelt thanks to Zwilling and donors: “Kob khun kap.. Thank you Zwilling.”

Young reporter - British International School IB students new Prefect leaders

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Welcome to British International School for the assembly with International Baccalaureate students to present the new Prefect leaders to the school.

After two months of waiting in suspense, the results of the new International Baccalaureate or IB prefects for 2008 have been announced. Yesterday, a ceremony was held to announce our final positions, which included a pledge recital from the prefects to all the IB students, promising their commitment to the school body. “as students of British.. ” Once we recited the pledge, an honorary badge was given to each of us as a symbol of our loyalty. As prefects we are expected to uphold the British International School community ethics; HONESTY, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT, SELF-CONTROL, PROMISE-KEEPING, EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. We will also act as leaders to the rest of the student body, by demonstrating our involvement and actions in school activities; such as the Training Day at Ao Yon, Cape Panwa. We will be hosting charity events, sporting events, school discos (like Valentines) as just announced: “what month? ... ask me” By showing our leadership, we will become role models for the younger generation, which will give them a feel of what they could also achieve in their future, and what they can do to help the school community. Not only will this be a great honourable experience for the prefects but it will also be a rewarding experience for our futures. This is Mathilde, from British International School, young reporter for Andaman News, passing you back to the studio.

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from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) & KPP Cable TV channel 1 at 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & perhaps Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Thursday 17 January 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th